This one isn’t that old ... but it’s a sign of the times.

With a new Opening Day in MLB upon us soon -- that’s next week -- I figured now might be a good time to trot out something in this Collecting Game-used series that I picked up in the past but it simply sat because, well, the visuals here appeared to be limited. It’s a second baseball (and another one tied to my player) where if you want to know how simple things in the everyday for sports have changed over the years -- just the recent years -- it’s a perfect example.

The ball is just over a decade old, but there's no irrefutable video (at least not yet) to show this one in action over on the impressive MLB Film Room database of video clips. It’s simply too old. And there are no added stats attached to this on its MLB Authentication entry to offer up advanced into on stuff that some people love. (No biggie for me, spin rates aren't on my radar -- I simply don’t care about that.) At that kind of a glance, it's perhaps a ball officially from the stone ages.

But after prepping most of this intro ... well, I did accidentally stumble into some proof of its life in MLB.

You can keep reading to see the details and see the ball in action ...

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Normally when it comes to items I've collected for this Collecting Game-used series what you'd see above is an image of an item in use -- definitive photo-matched proof that the piece I've found was in Player X's hands on X date ... or at least something close to that.

Not this time.

This bat does have a story to it, but it’s all anecdotal and it’s all still a mystery despite it being relatively modern. It’s not a piece that got stickering as it’s from before the time where the Oakland A's even bothered doing MLB Authentication ... not that this came via official team channels. (It didn’t.)

As you can see, this is a Nick Swisher Louisville Slugger and the eBay seller I landed it from last summer had some details -- and that’s what would typically be a starting point -- but I’ve struck out trying to photo-match anything. It happens, but this bat remains the real deal thanks to some trademark modifications made by the player and that model.

Keep reading to see the details.

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Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos

They’ve made these for years ... but I finally bit because this one was a little different from the rest.

My newest item in the Collecting Game-used series is one where it’s fully authenticated, meaning it’s unquestionably real, but I can’t document every little piece of the action. It’s a little piece of the game from the Field of Dreams site in little ol’ Dyersville, Iowa, (population 4,477) and one that you can find with relative ease.

What’s the deal? Well, it’s not some bat, ball or jersey from a player involved in this one -- it's not like memorabilia you’ll see here most months.

Keep reading to see the details.

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Auction Buzz is a monthly look at some of the variety found out there on the auction block via for Dallas-based Heritage Auctions ... check 'em out.

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THE BIGGEST BATMAN
The Item: 1966 Topps Batman (Black Bat) No. 1 The Batman (PSA 9)
The Price: $90,000 after 61 bids (ends Dec. 11)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Are non-sports "rookie cards" a thing? They are to many and this one fits the bill as this first card in the first set for the iconic character -- and it's already delivering big on the auction block where it will end this week. "Norman Saunders' bold brushwork captures the Caped Crusader in motion, surrounded by bursts of color that defined the campy, kinetic energy of 1960s pop culture," reads the Heritage listing. "This stunner is one of the highest-graded examples known, with none higher on the PSA population report ... it embodies the unmatched quality and care behind this legendary collection. Simply put, this is the Batman rookie every serious collector dreams of owning."

Keep reading for more interesting pieces up for grabs right now.

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I bought it because there was one key name attached ... but it turns out there were at least six.

My newest ball in the Collecting Game-used series is one I picked up on the open market thanks to one name I collect being on there, Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette, and it turned out to be a lot more than a run-scoring hit once I checked the authentication code and the video. This baseball turned out to be perhaps the most-complete piece in my game-used stash -- one that was used for a full plate appearance for the preceding batter and then everything for Bichette as well ... but only after a pitching change.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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This one is definitely Dumper déjà vu.

Just like last time, Buzz had a hunch, cross-checked the schedule and ... won. My second ball this month in the Collecting Game-used series is another that simply came to me via a grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game -- and I specifically chose a game between the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox back back in May because of something that happened on this day this season. For just $35 (shipped), I added a game-used piece of Cal Raleigh's 60-homer campaign to my collection and the team may not have even realized it. (Twice.)

Just like last time, this wasn't just some ball used during one of the 159 games Big Dumper merely played this season -- it's from the game where he launched his 16th homer of his historic campaign and Raleigh handled the ball during the lone play of its life in The Show.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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It's a day on the calendar that's always going to be remembered ... but this is not really tied to that. This one's simply from MLB action two years ago today.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game -- and I actually chose this date due to the visiting team, the Atlanta Braves, which I kind of casually collect on the game-used front. This was from the first game of a doubleheader between the two National League powerhouses and it was handled by a pair of All-Stars for its one-pitch lifetime in The Show.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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What's Buzzing: Bubba Chandler arrives, eTopps' finale isn't going well, fake cards, learning the ropes and more.

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1 -- eTopps' finale is not going well 

2 -- Learning the MLB Authentication ropes ...

3 -- Bubba Chandler arrives 

4 -- A money statement

5 -- Buyer beware ... an eBay account full of counterfeit cards

6 -- Checking in on the Roman Anthony thread

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

It's not from The Big Guy, but it's not a bad baseball for the price ... and I've actually pulled this move off twice.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game. The baseballs from this game that were thrown by the reigning National League Rookie Of The Year (and future Cy Young winner) Paul Skenes command a big premium price over the rest of baseballs from this day, so I knew I wouldn't land one with his name attached. But ... I didn't get some meaningless ball in the dirt as this one was a hit in support of the phenom and part of a pretty solid day for the batter.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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As Yogi Berra said, "It's déjà vu all over again."

Not everything that's game-used comes from on the field and this is the second entry in the Collecting Game-used series that is a simple kind of item like that and just like the last time we went there. It's one you can find these days quite easily and most often on the cheap -- and it's a little something that's a key piece in the game.  It's one straight from either of the dugouts or bullpens with the tape still on it. It's the lineup card and it's a piece of affordable memorabilia that low-key documents some of the details like a box score does but without any of those pesky stats -- just names, batting order numbers and positions.

Keep reading to see the details this time.

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I didn't need it, but once I saw this ... I knew I had to have it.

This month's entry in the Collecting Game-used series is an item that sat out there on the auction block for some time. One day I noticed the name and wondered, given its unique look, whether it was the kind of piece that could be could be narrowed down to an exact when and where of it all and be photo-matched. It turns out that the piece is a one-of-a-kind item and any and all photos of the player from that day are, without question, that item.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the item in action.

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Not everything that's game-used comes from on the field.

This extra entry in the Collecting Game-used series this month is a simple kind of item -- one you can find these days quite easily and most often on the cheap -- and it's a little something that's a key piece in the game and it's straight from either one of the dugouts or one of the bullpens. It's the lineup card and it's a piece of affordable memorabilia that low-key documents some of the details like a box score does but without any of those pesky stats -- just uni numbers, batting order numbers and positions.

Keep reading to see the details this time.

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ... 

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TIFFY TIMES TWO
The Cards: Tiffany Stratton 2024 Panini Three Count WWE Prime Memorabilia Autographs Purple parallel (/25) & standard version (/99)
The Price: About half of a Three Count box these days
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card was immediately on my radar back when it first was revealed among the mock-ups for this high-end WWE brand and, I've said it before, if this set hadn't used sticker autos it would be perfect. The end of the Panini WWE run combined with a logjam of releases and then the collector (and definitely flipper) focus perhaps shining more on Chrome actually made secondary market prices on a lot of stuff here a bit softer than I had expected, allowing me to pony up on two of these at prices I could handle. (I had initially figured I wouldn't land one of these, let alone one and a parallel.) I was picky with these and wanted to make sure I landed one with a clean auto -- full name, not the abbreviated and half-empty-sticker "Tiff" that shows up sometimes. Both of these hit the spot on both auto quality and price ... and if they ever dip more, I'll do more. Why? It's a Tiffy Time world and we're just collecting in it.
Grab a box right here: WWE cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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It's a ball that had a short life in The Show, but the one bit of contact was worth it.

This month's entry in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a blind grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game -- that's pretty much my bargain-bin way of hunting these days -- and yet this was another win. The star player this time? Current New York Yankees ace Max Fried -- though this one from before he put on those pinstripes and is from a game from last season.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ...

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IT'S ALWAYS TIFFY TIME
The Card: Tiffany Stratton 2023 Panini Immaculate Collection WWE Ruby Memorabilia Autographs (/25)
The Price: A meaty amount (for me)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Much like Rhea Ripley rookie autos in 2020, I've focused on trying to find one card from each of the lineups for Stratton's first year of ink in 2023 (RCs in 2022) with cleaner/full sigs on them and this brand was one of my targets for a while. I finally found one that looked good for a price I could pull off. Why chase? Stratton has delivered and figures to do so for some time with her latest big landmark moment being a bruiser of a win over Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania. "Buff Barbie" is an informal nickname here so far -- they're avoiding trademark claims -- but they're also playing into that more and more with her Wrestlemania debut entrance having a Barbie Dreamhouse/packaging feel before a brawl that left her, in her own words, "looking like a broke down Barbie." That spectacle of an entrance and the match were both proof that the meteoric arrival and win over an all-time great at the biggest event of the year is just the start and the WWE is still fueling that rocket. I've been buying (this was a pre-Mania pick-up) and will keep looking for more somewhat selectively -- since stuff is at times pricey.
Grab a box: WWE cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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Bought it for one reason and one reason only ... and then it arrived with two other stars attached.

This latest entry in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a blind grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game ... and yet this was another impressive ball in terms of its star power. In short, this one was the kind of ball typically not destined for a mystery box.

The initial reason I picked the date of this baseball? This game was just the second in the career of Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood and that alone was good enough for me to grab one -- a debut ball would have cost me substantially more ($1,199 last I looked) and I figured anything here would have story potential -- but then this turned out to be a base hit for one younger New York Mets star and then a foul ball for a franchise player.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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A good rookie, a good at-bat, a good ball ... that was one pitch away from history.

This month's entry in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a blind grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game ... and yet this was another win. The player? Jackson Merrill, the runner-up in the National League Rookie Of The Year behind winner Paul Skenes, and a name I didn't expect to land for a price lower than many a retail mega box of cards.

And, to top it all off, this wasn't some meaningless ball in the dirt or a ball just watched -- well, it kind of was -- it was something more for a low price and that's perfect. It's kind of how I roll most of the time with these items.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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It's BBWAA Awards Week for Major League Baseball and one of the most-notable winners made his way into my game-used collection this year ... well, sort of.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is another that came to me via a blind grab bag where all I knew was the date of the game ... but this time that wasn't to my advantage as, well, the baseballs pitched by the now-reigning National League Rookie Of The Year, Paul Skenes, command a 15x premium price over the rest of baseballs from this day and this game. Despite that, I rolled the dice, hoping for a possible inventory error or something interesting from what was still a Skenes start ... and I got just that.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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The MLB postseason has already had its share of moments with big names attached ... and as promised here's a second gamer with some big names attached.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is the second of two I landed not knowing who would be attached, just knowing that they were from a certain date in the postseason's past with the teams known -- and in this case it's from a pair of teammates now with the New York Mets and a pair of All-Stars. How did they sit all these years since they're from back in 2017? Well, based on holograms, they were originally in Steiner Sports' hands after going through MLB Authentication and then into Fanatics' possession.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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The MLB postseason is almost here, so I figured now's the time to drop one of a pair of baseballs I recently landed from that beloved time of year right here.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is the first of two I landed not knowing who would be attached, just knowing that they were from a certain date in the postseason's past with the teams known -- and in this case it's from Aaron Judge's first visit to the postseason but not with his name attached -- but some known stars are in play. (Not bad for a modest price that's less than some brand new boxes out in the retail wild, though.) How did they sit all these years since they're from back in 2017? Well, based on holograms, they were originally in Steiner Sports' hands after going through MLB Authentication and then into Fanatics' possession.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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Elly De La Cruz. That was a name I'd hope for -- but never expect -- from the mystery bargain bin ... but here we are.

This month's ball in the Collecting Game-used series is another from a $30 blind grab-bag kind -- picking only from the known date and teams -- and while I totally did not know it was Pup Night at PNC Park (see the gallery) I did know that both squads have some young notables in play in 2024. There's no Paul Skenes action on this day, of course, as he pitched the day before this one but I knew there would be potential for a price that's close to as cheap as it gets for a game-used baseball.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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This is quite possibly my best grab-bag buy ever.

This latest ball in the Collecting Game-used series is one where there's a franchise icon attached, an entire at-bat and even an impressive hit all in one. I can't say that I've ever landed that from what's essentially a blind grab-bag kind of buy, but that happened for me with a ball that was pulled from the field less than two months ago before making its way into my collection this week for just $29.95 -- substantially less than a Chrome blaster box out there in the retail wild and perhaps substantially less than it might cost as a known hit ball with the big name attached. The only thing I had a choice in here? I picked the date -- so I knew the two teams that would be attached and that's it.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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Four bounces and then a short roll ... and then it just sits there.

Spoiler alert: That's the "action" sequence for this latest ball in the Collecting Game-used series but for a random grab-bag ball -- one picked only by its game date -- this one stands out from the pack to a degree. Why? It's got a modest bit of scarring from what it hit off the bat of an All-Star caliber player and it's got a blooper-caliber whimsy to it all, too, with a sequence in a pandemic-era stadium that's quiet enough for you to also hear it all and notice that there are no background reactions at all, either, save for an ump giving it a brief glance.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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The condition of this ball says it all.

My latest addition to this Collecting Game-used series is again one that I found on the cheap -- less than the cost of a 2024 Bowman mega box -- but it's one that commands attention based on its look alone. That makes it a cool ball, too, but there's also an All-Star attached. (Admittedly, many game-used baseballs are near-anonymous ... not this time on either front.) Why did I grab it? Beyond the visuals, it's also a player I collect, Bo Bichette, though he's too pricey to command the cash I'd need for an ironclad MLB Authenticated game-used helmet, jersey or bat. That one reason baseballs like this can be a little more appealing -- it' a one-of-a-kind item with full ironclad authentication without breaking the bank.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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A career first ... that's simply hard to pass up no matter who it is.

My latest ball in this Collecting Game-used series is one I found on the cheap -- well, at least cheaper than some retail mega boxes out there and not much more than some game-used mystery boxes -- and it was used for three pitches in The Show ... one from a routine out and then two to a rookie playing in just his second game as a big-leaguer.

Keep reading to see the details this time ... and the ball in action.

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